Members of the 152nd Maintenance Company, Maine National Guard, who are currently stationed in Iraq will soon be receiving items ranging from phone cards to air fresheners from Cape Elizabeth High School junior and Eagle Scout candidate Austin Bass.

As part of his Eagle Scout service project Bass has recently set up collection boxes at the Hannaford stores on Forest Avenue in Portland, Scarborough and South Portland, and at the Pond Cove IGA in Cape Elizabeth.

Eagle Scout service projects must have a notable impact on the community and the Eagle Scout candidate must demonstrate leadership. Bass has organized a group of Scouts to help pack boxes and get them ready for shipment.

“I know a lot of soldiers do experience some sort of home sickness and I thought it was a good idea to try and help those who have made a sacrifice for us,” Bass said.

The project, which is a requirement for Eagle Scout candidacy in the Boy Scouts of America, will involve sending items requested by the soldiers themselves, as well as items suggested by the Family Assistance Center of the Maine National Guard.

Requested items include AT&T phone cards, Maine post cards/magazines, CD’s, DVD’s, small hanging air fresheners, and other items that are listed on the collection boxes. Donation by check will also be accepted to help with shipping and purchasing items, and can be made out to “Supplies for the 152nd ME.”

Bass said he has collected about one-third to one-half of his targeted goal, but will continue as long as the donations keep coming.

The goal of the project is “to confirm our support for the soldiers and to let them know that we are thinking of them, and looking forward to their safe return home to their families,” Bass said.

From left to right; Austin Bass, Spencer Garland, and Jay Cushing all of Boy Scout Troop 30 in Cape Elizabeth. For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Bass is supervising the setting up of the collection boxes for donations of requested items to be sent to the 152nd Maintenance Company, a Maine National Guard unit currently serving in Iraq.